Callista’s home village erupts, 49 arrested: Updated

Mitundu in Lilongwe, the home village of First Lady Callista Mutharika on Monday erupted  as angry villagers torched the police station there  ad razed down houses of four police officers  because of what they claim security breakdown.

The villagers claim there has been an increased murder incidents in the area and police officers were not “doing anything” to protect the residents.

The villagers were angered with the murder of a businessman  Marko Chapola  in the area on the night of October 16 armed robbers. Chapola’s wife was also hacked by the robbers.

The First Lady’s maiden name is Chapola.

“There has been a spate of robberies in Mitundu but despite complaints from the villagers, police has not been helping to beef up their security,” said one of the residents, a trader at Mitundu.

“There has been low visibility of security officers in the area despite that t has been a hot sport for armed robberies in the recent days,” he added.

Police deployed riot police to disperse the angry villagers.

The angry mob was heading to President Bingu wa Mutharika’s Bineth farm in the area when police dispersed them. The wanted to torch the farm in venting their anger.

Lilongwe Police spokesman Kingsley Dandaula said they arrested 49 people who were rioting. He however said police used rubber bullets against the protestors.

But eye witnesses said police used lethal force killing two people. The death of the two could not be independently verified.

But Kamuzu Central Hospital confirmed admitting two seriously injured people from gun wounds.

A young man, meanwhile, has been found murdered in Ntandile area in Lilongwe.

Police said they are investigating the issue.

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